Equity

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

Infrastructure decisions shape patterns of access to services and opportunities in cities. They also shape who and what locations will bear the brunt of negative environmental or pollution related consequences stemming from infrastructure. For example, transportation and mobility infrastructure directly affects access to jobs and services, has the capacity to bolster or undermine social networks, and can either isolate populations from or integrate populations into the larger urban fabric.

The network’s research activities around infrastructure and equity are focused on developing a better understanding of how infrastructure systems exert equitable and inequitable effects. Moreover, the network’s modeling activities are focused on understanding what “equity first” scenarios, in which equity is prioritized, would mean for cities and their populations in terms of environment, health, and wellbeing outcomes.

Distribution and localization of infrastructure may correct for existing inequalities (e.g. food access in areas of the city that might otherwise be food deserts, renewable energy generation that can reduce the electricity costs of low-income populations, etc.). However, they could also exacerbate existing inequalities. If infrastructure systems are arranged in silos-from neighborhood to neighborhood or house to house-will that lead to more or less equitable outcomes for poor or otherwise underserved populations?

OUR PRODUCTS

Who is susceptible to inattention in electronic bills?

  • July 2021
  • Journal Brief
  • Author: Multiple

This study examines the impact of e-billing on energy consumption for residential homes in Tallahassee, Florida. In particular, it addresses the question of whether some groups of people are more … Read more

Making Strategic Investments in Bike Share Stations to Increase Usage

  • August 2019
  • Journal Brief
  • Author: Jueyu Wang and Greg Lindsey

Does the installation of more bike share stations increase use of the system among members? If so, is the effect the same for all members, in all areas of the … Read more

Environmental Equity and Spatiotemporal Patterns of Urban Tree Canopy in Atlanta

  • July 2019
  • Peer-Reviewed Articles
  • Author: Multiple

Koo, B.W., Boyd, N., Botchwey, N., & Guhathakurta, S. (2019). Environmental Equity and Spatiotemporal Patterns of Urban Tree Canopy in Atlanta. Journal of Planning Education and Research. ABSTRACT: While previous … Read more

Stormwater Utility Fees and Credits: A Funding Strategy for Sustainability

  • April 2019
  • Peer-Reviewed Articles
  • Author: Jerry Zhao, Camila Fonseca, and Raihana Zeerak

Zhao, J.Z., Fonseca, C., & R. Zeerak. (2019). Stormwater Utility Fees and Credits: A Funding Strategy for Sustainability. Sustainability, 11(7). ABSTRACT: Lack of stable and dedicated funding has been a primary … Read more

Demographic Inequities in Health Outcomes and Air Pollution Exposure in the Atlanta Area and its Relationship to Urban Infrastructure

  • November 2018
  • Peer-Reviewed Articles
  • Author: Multiple

Servadio, J., Lawal, A.S.,  Davis, T., Bates, J., Russell, A.G., Ramaswami, A., Convertino, M., & Botchwey, N. (2018). Demographic Inequities in Health Outcomes and Air Pollution Exposure in the Atlanta Area … Read more

Science-Policy Dialogue Report No. 1- Distributed and Localized Infrastructure in Cities

  • September 2018
  • Report
  • Author: Multiple

The localization and decentralization of key infrastructure systems has emerged as a potential strategy for helping cities achieve multiple sustainability outcomes spanning environment, economy, health, wellbeing, and equity. Examples of … Read more

Resource Requirements of Inclusive Urban Development in India

  • September 2018
  • Journal Brief
  • Author: Ajay Nagpure and Anu Ramaswami

What are the energy and resource requirements of equitable and inclusive urban development? Understanding the resource requirements of developing more inclusive cities in India is the focus of this paper. … Read more

Design Choices and Equity Implications of Community Shared Solar

  • May 2018
  • Peer-Reviewed Articles
  • Author: Multiple

Chan, G., Evans, I., Grimley, M., Ihde, B., & P. Mazumder. (2017). Design choices and equity implications of community shared solar. The Electricity Journal, 30 (2017), 37-41. ABSTRACT: What is the … Read more

Sustainable Urban Infrastructure Transitions in the ASEAN Region: A Resource Perspective (UN Environment and Sustainable Healthy Cities collaboration)

  • February 2018
  • Report
  • Author: Multiple

The ASEAN nations are a hot spot for rapid urbanization over the next 30 years: Between 2015 and 2050, ASEAN cities are projected to add 205 million new urban residents … Read more

Evaluating Urban Food Systems

  • February 2018
  • Video
  • Author: Dana Boyer

It is projected that about two thirds of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. Making sure that cities can handle the influx of people means considering more … Read more

Resource requirements of inclusive urban development in India: insights from ten cities

  • February 2018
  • Peer-Reviewed Articles
  • Author: Multiple

Singh Nagpure, A., Reiner, M., & Ramaswami, A. (2018). “Resource requirements of inclusive urban development in India: insights from ten cities”. Environmental Research Letters, 13(2). ABSTRACT: This paper develops a methodology to … Read more

Policy and Planning Opportunities of Self-Driving Vehicles

  • November 2017
  • Video
  • Author: Frank Douma

The “future” of self-driving vehicles is quickly becoming reality. As these technologies make their way into the vehicles that get us from point A to point B, they are beginning … Read more

Equity of Bikeway Distribution in Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • January 2017
  • Peer-Reviewed Articles
  • Author: Multiple

Wang, J. & Lindsey, G. (2017). Equity of Bikeway Distribution in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board. 2605(1): 18-31. ABSTRACT: Governments and nonprofit organizations are investing … Read more

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